The Wait: Reunion
Lin directed Kai, the newbie, to the newly constructed furnace that was located in the boiler room.
It was odd that Yubaba chose the furnace instead of the dumpster in her office. After all, that was the place she'd dump all those insolent workers and other spirits who'd foolishly decided to offend her. The furnace was actually meant for burning the waste food and other trash.
But then again, perhaps she just didn't want to stink up her office.
'That works too,' Lin thought dryly.
Kai's brows were creased, and it was obvious to anyone that he was struggling very hard to put up with the smell he'd never encountered before. "Not too long now, newbie," Lin said, patting his shoulder awkwardly for some comfort which she hardly ever gave. There was definitely something about her and new employees.
Kai nodded and continued down at a slightly quicker pace, either because he was working harder or because he was close to dying from the intoxicating stench. Lin almost laughed, though she held it in since it wasn't exactly appropriate, seeing that the human who was being carried by him kept straining her neck painfully to maintain eye contact with her.
Lin merely stared back at her flatly. Was she that interesting to look at? Last she checked, she was not in the best state since she'd to work 3 days straight with no rest all thanks to that pretty-face bimbo who'd struck a nerve with at least 50 customers after she created such a pandemonium downstairs. She hadn't seen her for a while though. Thank goodness for that too. Yubaba probably threw her in the dumpster. The ghost of an evil smile crept up Lin's face. Call her evil, but that felt satisfying.
"Which way?" a constipated Kai asked, snapping Lin out of her pleasurable thoughts.
"Make a left turn and then go down the stairs."
Kai did as told and immediately swerved to his left, making the human girl groan in pain at the sudden jerk of her neck. Anyhow, she still insisted her way on staring Lin down with pleading eyes. Lin tried to look away. The human girl was already reminding her too much of her memories with Sen—or Chihiro—and her pitiful eyes were just making her go soft. But she couldn't; it was Yubaba's orders she had to follow.
"I'm sorry," she murmured at the human girl who was still desperately looking at her for dear life.
Kai opened the door at the side of the bathhouse. It was night and so they were hidden extra well from customers' sights. If the girl didn't stink so badly, their cover plan would have been perfect. The hustle and bustle of that night was crazy; business had been booming and was going very well, much to Yubaba's delight, with the extra gold she earned. But, somehow after Chihiro left, something changed in the old witch. It was not very explicitly shown, but there was still that tweak in her personality.
Yubaba now gave workers year-end bonuses because of the flourishing bathhouse business, and she even provided a month's worth of leave in the entire year for the workers, and using up their leave was entirely up to them, but not too workers could take leave at the same time or business would crumble. Now that was a miracle in itself. Yubaba never ever gave her employees a day to rest before, and now workers seemed much happier to work for her.
'The old witch finally learnt about karma,' Lin smiled. Not that she was mocking Yubaba; no one was. However, for the most part, Yubaba was still the same old strict, profit-driven witch who had high standards for the bathhouse. She'd merely started treating her employees with more respect.
A startled shriek jerked Lin out of her thoughts again and she stared at Kai who'd broken a plank while walking down the stairs and watching fearfully as the wooden thing took a long vertical trip down to the icy depths of the waters below. "Be more careful, Kai. And don't scream. It's making my head hurt," the weasel spirit complained. She was trying hard not to be snappy because of her grumpiness.
"You're always grumpy, Lin," Kamaji's voice rang in her head.
"Oh shut it, old geezer," she grumbled to herself.
Kai turned back, evidently having heard what she just said and was confused. She waved him off quickly, "I was just talking to myself. Now hurry and get down or-" she cut herself off before she frightened him, "ah, never mind. You don't want to know. Just hurry."
Despite his buff appearance, the timid spirit hurried down the steps, but this time much more wary of the planks that were prone to breaking at any point. While walking, Lin caught Chihiro staring at her again, with those same pleading eyes. Since Kai was taking ages to get down the steps like a little slug, she found herself staring back at the human.
"What? I got something on my face?" she snapped at the girl.
The girl, if anything, snorted before shaking her head as vigorously as she could. "Then what?" Lin was getting ticked off. She really didn't need someone mocking her after staring at her for so long like it was important.
She began to mouth something, while some strange hoarse sounds came out of her throat. "I can't lip-read, you squirt. Just say what you want to. If it's about me letting you go, you can forget about it. Yubaba's the head witch here and I'm just carrying out orders."
As Lin continued to eye the girl, she sensed that there was something strangely familiar about her. Her brown orbs seemed to want to tell her something since she seemed to be mute at the moment. Her face softened and stepped closer, examining the human. "Say, you look familiar…"
Instantly, the girl's eyes widened and looked like they were going to bulge out of their sockets. She nodded actively, as if prompting Lin to remember something.
Lin racked her brains for any recollection, but the only human girl she knew was Chihiro. Unless…
The full impact of realization crashed into her head and for a moment, Lin thought she couldn't breathe.
When the searing heat began to attack her, she realized they'd already reached the boiler room and that was why it was suddenly harder to take in air in the suffocating space.
'Don't tell me, you're really her..?' Lin wondered, forcing herself to inhale. It was kind of a lot to take in at the moment. She only snapped out of it when she saw Kai ready to throw the girl into the unforgiving flames of the furnace.
"Hold it right there, newbie!" Lin screeched and hastily dashed to his side. He looked at her questioningly and she quickly lied, "I, uh, just remembered I have something important for you to do. Hurry and get to the ground floor. And please rinse yourself before you drive the customers away with your stink, got it?"
Immediately, like a child who just earned his first lollipop ever, threw Chihiro into Lin's arms, leaving her no time to react to the sudden weight, even though it was nothing she couldn't handle. He crawled out via the little exit but had a little trouble squeezing his huge butt through. It looked rather comical and if Lin wasn't as flustered as she was at the moment with the girl in her hands, she would have laughed out loud.
"Now what's with all this commotion?" the old spider man asked from where he was. His eyes had never left to see what was going on, and he had assumed it was just Lin helping another new worker out, but then there was that strange odor coming from where the group had been which intrigued him. "Get me some water, Kamaji. Hurry!" Lin shrieked and hurriedly laid the tired, weak human girl on the ground as carefully as she could.
"Chihiro, you feeling alright?" she tapped on the girl's cheeks who nodded with a relieved smile on her face. She tried to sit up, but Lin just pushed her back down on the floor, wanting her to get more rest. Kamaji took one glance at the two and rubbed his sunglasses in utter disbelief. "I don't believe it. Is that..?"
"Yes it is! Now get me water! She's dying!" she cried, overreacting completely.
Without a moment's hesitation, Kamaji took out a plastic cup and poured some warm water into it from his kettle and stretched his long, elongated arm to hand it to Lin, careful not to spill.
The weasel spirit, on the other hand, in a moment of anxiety, nearly spilled its contents all over Chihiro. "Crap! Sorry about that! Sit up and drink! I better get you some food. Stay here!"
Chihiro got into a sitting position with the help of Kamaji's supporting arm behind her back and he watched as she gulped the entire glass down. Instantly the scorching heat in her throat was soothed and she felt better after coughing a few times.
A shocked Kamaji watched and observed the girl silently. Why hadn't he recognized her at first sight? She'd grown into a fine, young lady in 10 years, but there was something off about her, especially the smell her body was emitting. And from what Lin just said, she hadn't eaten anything yet. She should have started to disappear a long while ago already.
Chihiro turned to face her dear grandfather and smiled weakly, but she moaned when the world seemed to shift again. The old man lay her back down on the floor and gave her a blanket lie on. "Watch your head," he reminded. After shifting into a comfortable position, Chihiro closed her eyes tightly, seeming to be in a lot of pain. Lin ran back with a generous serving of buns. "Here, take a bite, Chihiro,"
The weasel spirit paused when she saw her sister's pale face. "Are you feeling alright? Do you need any medicine? You don't look so good. Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you earlier! You just looked so different and-"
"Lin, just let her eat first. She's already begun to disappear," Kamaji interrupted.
Chihiro felt a tingly sensation all over her body and not to her surprise, she found herself fading into the atmosphere. She gratefully accepted the bun and chomped down hungrily, seeing that she hadn't eaten the whole day. Though it was plain, it was sweet as her tongue savored the soft, fluffy bun.
"Careful now, don't choke," Lin patted her back, worried wrinkles appearing on her forehead. Kamaji poured another glass of water for the girl to wash down the solid foods and the three remained in quietness for a while, the spirits watching over their dear family closely.
"Thank you…" Chihiro said after a while. She'd finally recovered her voice, thankfully, but it was still rather husky. That could not be helped though. Served her right for not drinking enough.
"No problem, need anything else?" Lin inquired.
"No thank you, Lin."
"I'm sorry, Chihiro, I should have-"
"It wasn't your fault at all. I just happened to be mute thanks to my throat at the time and it's been 10 years since you last saw me; I naturally look different."
"Oh, Chihiro! I've missed you so much!" Lin cried, wrapping her arms around Chihiro who returned the embrace eagerly.
"I've missed you too, Lin! I was afraid I'd never see you again!" Chihiro cried, tears beginning to form. Both girls sniffled a little and when they pulled away, laughed.
"Geez, you're still the same crybaby as ever," Lin mocked, wiping a stray tear on her cheek.
"That coming from you…"
"Whatever, you little squirt! You're back! I can't believe it! Are you really here?"
"No, I'm just an illusion and you're hallucinating, Lin." Chihiro rolled her eyes and pinched Lin's cheeks.
"Ouch! That hurt!" Lin rubbed her cheeks while shooting a playful glare at the girl opposite her.
"Good, then you're not dreaming." Chihiro cheekily replied and winked.
"Well, I guess some people just forget about their grandfathers after some time…" the old spider spirit grumbled from behind. Chihiro whipped her head around and gave him a rueful smile.
"Sorry Kamaji, I really missed you too!" She then got on her feet, albeit a little wobbly, but she regained her support and made her way into the open arms of her dear grandfather.
"I missed you very much, Chihiro."
"Same here, Kamaji," she smiled, more tears forming before finally spilling over her cheeks.
"How have you been? I see you've really changed over the years."
"I, uh…" Chihiro paused awkwardly. Should she tell the truth, or keep it from them?
"Sorry, I have to go or Kai will go crazy with anxiety. He's such a scaredy-cat. Well then, I hate to leave, but I'll come back soon, okay? You're going to fill me in on everything, okay, lil' sis? That includes your boyfriends, your ex-boyfriends, your crushes-"
"Basically everything about my love life, right, Lin?" Chihiro cut her off and Lin gave her a seductive wink.
"You got that right, girl. So don't you think of running away or I'll pound you, ya hear?"
Chihiro saluted her sloppily and with a farewell wave, Lin crawled through the exit and she was gone.
"Glad that infernal source of noise is gone…" Kamaji muttered under his breath and called out to the soot balls who were watching the scene from a distance, "Hey, you! Get back to work!" he paused before adding, "You can greet Chihiro if you want." He muttered the last sentence softly though, making Chihiro chuckle. Kamaji was practically all bark and no bite. Sure, he could seem like an intimidating, cold and unfeeling old man at times, but inside, he was such a softie.
"So, want to fill in your grandpa on life events first? What was it you were trying to say to me just now?" Kamaji asked as he went back to his work. The soot balls made their way out of their holes, all carrying the heavy charcoal blocks with their thin arms that looked like they could break any moment. Some of them waved at Chihiro and she couldn't help but gush at their adorableness.
"I guess… everything so far is… alright..?" she tried, but didn't sound convincing.
"Are you sure about that? You don't look very good, Chihiro," Kamaji pointed out.
"I, ah, was just dehydrated," Chihiro lied. Guilt pricked her, but she wasn't exactly lying. She was dehydrated after all.
Kamaji, sensing there was something that she was not ready to share, decided to drop it. Perhaps it was something important that she didn't want to shock them with. In any case, he was sure she would come around sooner or later especially with that crazy weasel spirit she called her sister just waiting to attack her with questions.
"Alright, good to hear," he replied with a little smile.
"What about you, Kamaji?"
"Same old, same old. This old spider is still serving here faithfully, and I don't think you'll believe this, but Yubaba has actually begun to treat her workers with more respect."
Chihiro's eyes widened. Yubaba and respect for others? Now that was something new. "In what way?"
"Now we have year-end bonuses since the bathhouse business is flourishing by day and she even gives each employee a full month of leave per year!"
"What?!" Chihiro nearly shouted. She clamped her hand over her mouth sheepishly but her eyes still displayed shock and disbelief. "Am I in the right world? Kamaji, tell me I'm in the correct realm," she started melodramatically.
He chuckled at her antics. "It's all true, Chihiro."
"Wow, I didn't realize Yubaba had it in her. That's quite the miracle, no offence."
"You're not the only one who feels that way, dear," he replied.
"Hmm…" she hummed, "can I ask something… else..?"
"You mean to ask about Haku, don't you?"
Chihiro flushed slightly. "How did you know?"
"You sounded shier and more hesitant. Ah, young love."
Chihiro blushed even harder. "It's not… love. So how is he?"
Kamaji shook his head smiling. The two were staying put in their own shells, still unwilling to admit their love for each other. "He's doing fine. Now he's a free man. He does whatever he wants."
The girl's interest was now piqued and she rested her chin on her now propped knees. "What does he do? Where does he stay, now that his river is gone, Kamaji?"
"Well, you know dragons; they like to keep their privacies, so I'm not sure where he stays. I just know for one that he has opened up a place for lost, homeless spirits to take refuge in. He protects them and he's like their guardian. He cares for them and he also provides for them. And after you left, he trained to get stronger, and as a result, now he's part of the Shugorei, the group of guardians over-seeing the well-being of the Spirit Realm. He helps to keep the place safe."
"Wow… That's… impressive, to say the least." Chihiro felt like she'd just taken a new step in knowing Haku. The selfless person who'd risked his life to save her, and the man who'd stolen her heart. She felt very proud of Haku, and was amazed at what he'd achieved ever since they parted.
With so much going on in his life, did he still remember her? Did he even have the faintest recollection or impression of her?
"Kamaji… does he still remember me?" she heard herself ask in a mild voice.
He looked up, bothered by the sudden swing in her mood. Haku had never gone back for her. That much he knew, so it was natural for her to be upset. It just never occurred to him that it would break his heart to see his granddaughter hurting this badly.
"I'm sure he does, Chihiro. Nothing escapes him, that sharp-minded dragon. Don't fret too much. I think he should be coming soon for a visit."
Her head jerked up. "He visits?"
"Of course he does, Chihiro. He's not a cold-hearted, unsentimental man. He visits once in a fortnight, but sometimes it gets delayed if he's too busy."
"So how long exactly is 'soon'?"
Kamaji grinned. If only she could see how in love she was with that dragon. "Probably in 2 days or so."
Chihiro nodded. In 2 days, she would be seeing Haku again. It was nerve-racking to even think about how she'd go about talking to him again. It could be rather awkward, seeing they hadn't met in 10 years. She wasn't even sure if he remembered her, and she dreaded that thought. If he didn't remember her, then well, her trip would have been wasted. Not entirely wasted, since she got to meet up with Kamaji and Lin again, but for the most part, she'd come to see Haku again, hopefully for the last time too.
"Chihiro, do you plan to get a job here?"
Chihiro snapped out of her thoughts. "Huh?"
"None of us would dare call Yubaba kind as of yet, Chihiro. While you're out of a job here in the bathhouse, she has the power to hurt you, and I'm not sure whether she still holds a grudge after the whole No-Face incident the last time you were here."
The girl gulped. She couldn't work; not in the physical condition she was in. If the job got a little too vigorous, she was sure to collapse and would probably end up in a critical condition. And she was not planning on staying too long in the bathhouse either; perhaps she could go with Haku?
If he didn't remember her, then she'd simply bid her farewells to everyone and return to the human world prematurely.
That sounded like a plan.
A/N: Sorry for the delayed update! I was at camp the whole week so I started work here (: Had some trouble figuring out what to do for the plot but I guess it's alright now ;) Anyhow, I'm definitely eggcited for Haku's and Chihiro's reunion which should be coming up soon! For now, just bear with the sweet fun friendly stuffs yeah. ^^
Thank you to you great reviewees (this sounds cute haha) EasternWindDragon, Yoko and Angelic Toaster!
Aww I'm really glad that so far this story is still decent enough XD Thanks so much for your support! I'd really love to hear more from you guys through reviews though! They always make my day! (:
Next up: Lin and Chihiro spend some girl-to-girl bonding time together. Will Chihiro muster the courage to tell her friends her true condition?
Yoko: LOL thanks! You're too sweet haha thank eeeuuuu~